A novel network controller for use with a digital cable headend capable of monitoring and controlling set top terminals in a television program delivery system is described. The invention relates to methods and apparatus for a network controller that manages a configuration of set top terminals in a program delivery system. The invention is particularly useful in program delivery systems with hundreds of channels of programming, a menu driven program selection system, and a program control information signal that carries data and identifies available program choices. Specifically, the invention modifies a program control information signal at the cable headend before the modified signal is transmitted to each set top terminal. This signal is used with polling methods to receive upstream data from the set top terminals. The invention initiates such upstream data retrieval, gathers all data received and compiles viewer demographics information and programs watched information. The invention processes this data and information to generate packages of advertisements, as well as account and billing reports, targeted towards each set top terminal. The invention uses upstream data reception hardware, databases and processing hardware and software to accomplish these functions.

Network controller for cable television delivery systems

A novel multiple channel architecture (265) is designed to allow targeted advertising directed to television terminals (220) connected to an operations center (202) or a cable headend (208). Program channels carry television programs. The invention uses upstream data reception hardware (262, 275, 297), databases (301) and processing hardware (285, 293) and software to accomplish these functions. During commercial breaks in the television programs, advertisements, which are also broadcast on the program channel, are displayed. However, additional feeder channels carry alternate advertising that may be better suited for certain viewing audiences. The operations center (202) or the cable headend (208) generate a group assignment plan (293, 299) that assigns the television terminals (220) to groups, based on factors such as area of dominant influence and household income. A switching plan (291) is then generated that instructs the television terminals (220) to remain with the program channel or to switch to one of the alternate feeder channels during the program breaks. The television terminals (220) record which channels were viewed during the program breaks, and report this information to the cable headend (208) and the operations center (202). The reported information is used to generate billing for commercial advertisers, and to analyze viewer watching habits.

Targeted advertisement using television delivery systems

An Operations Center (202) for television entertainment systems that provide television programming to consumer homes is disclosed. The Operations Center (202) organizes and packages television programming and program information for delivery to and from consumer homes. The Operations Center (202) includes a computerized packaging system (260) for creating a program control information signal.

An operation center for a television program packaging and delivery system

Method and apparatus for targeted advertising

The present invention utilizes an aggregator for searching, packaging and delivering content. The aggregator processes requests, searches, provides search results and acquires content. The aggregator, operating in a communications network, includes a request and results processing server, a search engine server coupled to the request and results processing server and a content acquisition server coupled to the request and results processing server. A request and results processing server receives a request for content, the search engine server searches for the content and the content acquisition program acquires content for delivery to the user. The request and results processing server includes a search request processor that receives information related to a user's search request and provides the information to a search results form builder that creates an electronic search request.

Video and digital multimedia aggregator

A telecommunications signalling interface for computer systems is presented. Control and information signals from the telephone switch are received, decoded, and converted to a standard interface format for retransmission to the computer. Control and information signals from the computer are received and converted to a standard format for transmission to the telephone switch. The power supply for the device may be derived from the telephone network and the computer interface.

Computer telecommunications signalling interface

A telecommunications signalling interface for computer systems is presented. Control and information signals from the telephone switch are received, decoded, and converted to a standard interface format for retransmission to the computer. Control and information signals from the computer are received and converted to a standard format for transmission to the telephone switch. The power supply for the device is derived from the telephone network and the computer interface.

David Callele

Papers

Computer telecommunications signalling interface

Telephone interface for a computer for receiving and transmitting information during the silent interval between ringing